For the 20th consecutive summer, College of Architecture students are putting their designs to the test.
With the assistance of the Graduate Design/Build Studio (GD/BS), architecture students are working on a solar canopy for Pat Neff Elementary School in west Houston.
Associate professor Patrick Peters has been involved in this preparatory student-led program for the last 16 years and is heading this year’s project.
‘Without question, it is gratifying to see that the program has assembled a significant portfolio of completed work,’ Peters said. ‘It is important to realize that this program owes its longevity and success to the contribution of my two co-teachers and to the many team members, students and contributors.’
The project is assigned to students during the spring semester, and then summer is building from these plans. The development begins at the College of Architecture’s Keeland Design Center before advancing to on-site construction.
Several students have already started their careers, but for others, it is their first experience in construction. This is an important step for developing architects, Peters said.
‘The GD/BS program is a real treat for the architecture students, as it gives them a unique design and construction experience at a stage in their educations early enough to allow them to harvest its fruitful lessons many times over before they enter professional practice,’ Peters said.
Architecture graduate student Cynthia Chenut said she realized the pressure of the situation, but recognizes the opportunity.
‘This is a true opportunity for me, as it is really rare for students to get to be as involved with so many different aspects of one project. This project is definitely a valuable step in my education and career,’ Chenut said.
Another bonus of the annual project is its contribution to the community – helping children stay cool in the summer.
The project, titled ‘The Solar Shade Tree,’ will cover an area used for the arts at Pat Neff Elementary. Upon its completion, children will have a comfortable area to stage plays and new canvases to paint.
Chenut said she understands the benefits of her architectural work.
‘Obviously, as an architecture student, it is very rewarding to see a project that we designed, as a group, slowly take form,’ Chenut said.
The structure that is being built partially at UH’s Design Exploration Center will include a standing seam roof and trellis, which is an open frame, built with a lattice capable of supporting plant life.
The students will work in this center for the next several weeks, finalizing plans in preparation for the move to the site.
The environment was a huge factor in developing the structure. Instead of using grid electricity, the design utilizes photovoltaic panels that harness solar power and basins for collecting rain.
‘Concern for the environment is one of the most important factors in the design and development of our project, and our final design is always a reflection of our conscious effort to be environmentally responsible,’ Peters said.
Students learned that construction also involves tailoring to clients’ needs. The building team held meetings with Pat Neff Elementary to receive the school’s input on the structure’s design.
‘So far, we have received very positive feedback from the Neff Elementary students and teachers, all of whom have responded with excitement to our project and ideas,’ Peters said.
Construction began earlier this month and completion is expected by Aug. 5. When the work at the Keeland Center is finished, the students will move their materials to Neff Elementary.
The project is part of the architecture students’ grade in the course, but students find contentment beyond boosting their grade-point averages.
‘Aside from our educational benefits, it is truly gratifying to see how our project will be able to fulfill its main function. That is, to serve the community by acting as a shading device for children, parents and teachers at Neff Elementary,’ Chenut said.
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